Here’s a rewritten version of the content in my own words:
Gulfstream Park
Class President, a 2-year-old colt by Uncle Mo, trained by Tod Plecher and ridden by Airado Ortiz Jr., won his maiden special weight race over a mile on Saturday. He triumphed over stablemate Easterly by 3¼ lengths, finishing in 1:38.33. Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm LLC, Class President is out of Top Quality, a multiple Grade 3 stakes winner by Quality Road, and is owned by WinStar, First Go Racing, and CHC, Inc.
Laurel Park
Lonely Road, a 3-year-old half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winners Mind Frame, broke his maiden by eight and a half lengths on Friday, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 93. The homebred gelding by McLean’s Music is owned and trained by the estate of breeder R. Larry Johnson under Michael Trombetta. Switching from turf to dirt for the first time after two starts on grass at Colonial Downs, he completed six furlongs in 1:11.14 with Michelle Sanchez aboard.
Teen apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood shone with three wins at Maryland tracks over two consecutive Saturdays. He partnered with trainer Gary Capuano for wins by Rina Is Fire and Work Hard, and also won aboard Indy Charges On with trainer Anthony Farrier. At just 17 years old, Hazlewood boasts 70 wins this meet, double that of veteran Jevian Toledo, marking him a strong contender for the 2025 Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice jockey. Despite missing two months due to injury, Hazlewood has 128 wins from 562 mounts, including five stakes victories. He dominated the Jim McKay Maryland Million Program with four wins and added four more in just two days, earning over $4.2 million this year. He has ridden winners at multiple major tracks including Laurel, Pimlico, Aqueduct, Delaware Park, and Penn National, leading the year-end Maryland Jockey Club standings.
Oaklawn Park
Luis Saez made his Hot Springs debut in the 2025-2026 season with a trio of wins on Friday, capturing the fourth race on New What’s New ($4.20), the eighth race Pippin Stakes ($150,000) with Standout Sensation ($4), and the ninth race aboard Speed King ($5.60), trained by Ron Mockett.
Speed King scored a decisive win by five and a half lengths in the $116,000 sprint over six furlongs in 1:09.45 on a fast track. The 3-year-old Volatile colt, trained by Mockett, notched his first win since January 25’s Southwest Stakes (G3), a key Kentucky Derby prep at Oaklawn.
Trainer Mark Casse prepped his Grade 1 winners Sandman and Face on Oaklawn’s fast track Saturday morning. Sandman, ridden by two-time Oaklawn riding champ Cristian Torres, covered five furlongs in 59.60 seconds – the fastest workout among sixteen entries. His detailed split times signal strong fitness as he prepares for his race return after a long layoff since late August. Torres praised Sandman for his eagerness and strong response during the workout. La Cala also impressed with solid workouts post-resurfacing break, gearing up for her 4-year-old debut at the $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes (G3) on February 7th. La Cala hasn’t raced since September but was a Grade 1 winner earlier in the year.
Turf Paradise
Jockey Orlando Mojica sits just one win shy of 3,000 career victories after Saturday’s eight-race program. Originally from Puerto Rico, Mojica began riding early and followed his family’s footsteps to the U.S. Competing regularly at Turf Paradise, Oaklawn, and throughout Midwest and Southwest tracks, Mojica boasts multiple stakes wins—including the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn and the Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park. Mojica is currently ranked 55th among active jockeys in wins and 195th all-time.
Turfway Park
As the final holiday meet wrapped up in Florence, Kentucky, Walter Rodriguez maintained a commanding lead in the jockey standings with 9 wins, followed by Luan Machado with 13 and Adam Beschizza sitting third with 10. Wesley Ward leads trainers with 6 wins, while Eric Foster, Horacio de Paz, and Joe Sharp tie for second with 5 wins each. Godolphin sits atop the owner leaderboard with 5 wins.
Tampa Bay Downs
Jockey Sony Leon shared a heartfelt holiday with his family, flying home to Kentucky to celebrate Christmas with his wife and daughter before returning to win a race at Tampa Bay Downs. Despite his demanding career, Leon balances family life and racing with passion and dedication. Known for his dramatic 2022 Kentucky Derby upset aboard 80-1 shot Rich Strike, Leon cherishes family moments like his daughter’s joy opening presents. Currently Tampa Bay’s No. 2 jockey with 14 wins this season, Leon has amassed over 1,000 North American victories and aims for 2,000. His steady ascent underscores his commitment to both family and the sport.
Fan Take:
This roundup highlights impressive emerging talents and seasoned stars across major U.S. tracks, signaling a vibrant future for Thoroughbred racing. The steady rise of young jockeys like Yedsit Hazlewood and the continued success of riders like Sony Leon indicate strong, passionate individuals shaping the sport’s next chapters—making this an exciting time for horse racing enthusiasts.
